The next morning Samudra woke up earlier than Tanisi. He quietly removed his embrace and his uttareeya and sat up. He kept staring at her as a hungry wolf. He remembered her naked self and then closed his eyes and murmered "Lord Mrityunjaya, help me control myself around her. I am losing my self to her. Or give her to me as my wife so that I don't have to regret these days and actions of mine." As warm and bright sun rays hit her face, she stirred. Samudra quickly and quietly turned away from her. His posture was such that he was guarding instead of staring at her. Tanisi opened her eyes slowly. And saw Samudra's back towards her. She felt a kind of warmth looking at him. She had started to rely on him and trust him. He was extremely handsome. And his demeanor was affecting Tanisi. She had felt her heart flutter at his sight. She got goosebumps when he used to smile at her. She was afraid she would fall for him and was praying silently they reach the others as soon as possible. Prox
Tanisi and Samudra took rest and the rest of them prepared lunch for all of them present. They were 30 people totally. The wounded and scouts were absent. The rescued moderners were all there except Atul. He was hurt during the rescue operation and hence was taken in urgency to the capital to provide him with a Vaidya(doctor).After surviving on wild fruits and root tubers, Tanisi felt she was in heaven when she could wash her hair, take a bath, change her clothes and eat properly cooked delicious food. She silently thanked God for the provisions.They were to camp there that night and on day break they were to move to the next point. By that time more reinforcements would have come along with chariots to take those who needed rest or medical attention back.They slept peacefully with second batch of warriors guarding them at night. The next morning they woke up early and after quick washup left the place and proceeded further towards the Capital.After w
Amongst all this, one person was very unhappy to see Emperor Samudra. Vikas had his eyes set on Tanisi. Seeing the attention she was getting from the Samrat(Emperor) he used to feel jealous and angry. But since it was the Samrat himself, nothing could be done. Yet he tried his luck again.The current terrain was very close to the border village of Nishantha. Once they entered the village the Samrat would have his contigent stationed there. This terrain was 2 days from the village. Also it was along the river. The river and her banks were inside the Nishantha territory. However, it was a difficult terrain to defend. On the other hand 30 feet from the farther bank of the river, it was the Kaingitya territory and it was a vantage point for them. If the Nishanthian's were attacked now, they needed a miracle to survive even a small group of 30 men from the Kaingitya's side. Vikas didn't want to lose this. He would ask Tanisi as his reward from the Kaingitya Prince. Even if she
He immediately summoned his men. Since they were trained, he asked the moderners also to pick their weapons.He said in a clear and commanding tone: "This territory is treachrous. We cannot be relaxed here. The Kaingitya's have been humiliated. Hence they will be looking for us to save their pride. All of you are to defend."He then gathered the women folk and provided them with weapons. And said, "You will also have to fight to defend us. We cannot predict the number of men on their side but I have a hunch that they would atleast be 70 or more men from their side. After all its their prince who stands humiliated."He then explained his formation to them. Vikas was to stand at the forefront. Five men behind him at a distance of around 7 feet and 7 men behind them. He then asked the others to spread out and hide in the bushes. He marked high points available only on the Nishantha's territory for the women and three other archers. He took the spot next
After an hour's resting, they started their journey and reached the border village of Nishantha the next evening. Since they faced a battle, none of them wanted to stop and they kept moving at a brisk pace. This was possible as they kept riding the horses in turns giving all of them rest in between.By the time they arrived at the village they were completely exhausted. Shourya had already made arrangements for their arrival. Hence as soon as they entered the village, they were led straight to their respective resting areas. Since an army battalion was always stationed there, there was a permanent place for the men from the battles. Hence they had ample accomodation to spare to these additional men and women. All of them shared their chamber with one other person.The Emperor and Shourya took the main chamber. Aarna and Padma shared one, while Varidhi, Bhavya and Tanisi shared a slightly bigger one. Pradyumna and Ashish shared one, while Shirish shared the cham
The Acharya gave him a broader smile and said, "Blessings my son! Well if you have noticed I always sit here and am always looking at the entrance. What made you think I knew you would come?"Samudra laughed lightly and said, "Acharya, I know you can read me better than myself. I came to ask you something. Infact I came to confirm somethings to my own self".Acharya: "You seem to be in a pleasant state of mind. Are you in love?"Samudra was taken aback.Samudra: "Acharya, I thought you wanted my good. You are eager to see me in love?! You want me to lose my senses?"Acharya: "Oh! Don't talk rubbish. Love is the form in which Lord Mrityunajaya is present everywhere. By insulting love you insult the Lord! Its not a crime to fall in Love. That is why women are better than men. Women can give love to so many around them. We men can love only those whom we consider as ours.."Samudra: "You mean the women who can love. But aren't they some who are
The next morning after washing himself in his personal bath under his chambers the Samrat got ready to visit the Old Palace and later to attend his court. Vishwakeerthi came to personally escort the emperor. He was still skeptical about the Samrat's reaction on seeing the Old Palace. He was very well aware of Samudra's painful memories of the Palace. This was where the royal family had lived till the death of Queen Chandramathi. Queen Chandramathi loved Samudra the most. She always said that her love for him was as big as a Samudra(Ocean) and had hence named him so. After her husband Marthanda's death, her love for Samudra had kept her sane. She wanted to give the best she could to her only son. As a boy of twelve Samudra had screamed like a wounded tiger when his mother's death was announced. In Vishwa's mind the scene was etched, when his dearest friend and the crown prince had suffered. The mighty, courageous, confident, smart and ever smiling Samudra was shattere
Naksha lived in the palace quarters of Samrat Samudra. Since Prapta was sent on his mission, Samudra had ensured Naksha had access to best of facilities in his palace. Tanisi was to be in Samrat's palace almost the whole day to take care of Naksha. This gave Samudra enough chances to meet Tanisi. Tanisi was introduced to Naksha by Vishwa. Naksha already knew her task and she was excited. She was looking forward to Tanisi's company. Tanisi started first day of her task and with a smile left her chamber and entered the pathway to Naksha's chambers when she almost bumped into Samudra. She was greeted by a wicked grin on the Emperor's face. Samudra: "You seem to be in a hurry. Do you like taking care of people so much or is it reserved for specific people." Tanisi: "Your Highness, I do any task assigned to me diligently and honestly. And by the way I met Padma enroute and she is doing very well. I just thought you might be concerned about her!"
It was quite dark when the task at hand was done. He looked at the hourglass besides his bed and exclaimed, "Oh its quite late. Let us have our dinner. We can work on the rest of them tomorrow. Tanisi I will ask Naksha to send you a bit sooner." So saying he got up. Tanisi closed the account record which she had finished and got up too. She slowly spoke in a low tone, "I have worked on these for the first time. Your highness should probably check my work once. I might have made mistakes." Samudra looked intently at her. She was again avoiding his gaze. He said, "Hmm.. I had that in mind. You seem to think like I do. Come lets go to the food hall. I am too hungry, and might eat you if I don't get food quickly". Tanisi's eyes shot up with a horror filled expression. Samudra wanted her to look at him and was pleased. He said, "Don't know how you would taste, I have never eaten human beings before" and laughed.She lowered her head and stood silently. Samudra moved first an
Tanisi snuggled up to him. Samudra was extremely happy, but was still not willing to let go of punishing Tanisi. He kept thinking and suddenly a wicked idea propped up into his head.He loosened his embrace and looked into her eyes by lifting her chin up with his index finger and said, " My Love, what a wonderful day today is. I got to play naughty around you early morning, got into an adventure, and now got a love confession. Hmmm... Very good. However, as you said nobody should misuse power. Hence, you too cannot forego your punishment. You dared to defy me again, forgetting I am the Emperor of the Land. How dare you ignore me? You should have praised my efforts, instead you thanked God; you should have followed me back to check if I was hurt or if I needed anything, you didn't. On top of it, you joined hands with Naksha to make me feel envious and stood cuddling Bahu?! I think I have been too lenient towards you. Before I fell in love with you, Naksha didn't dare to play a
Tanisi, opened and closed her mouth few times. Words forsake her. She was not able to think coherently due to the panic that rose in her earlier and now the embarrassment of pouring her heart out. Samudra: "Calm down Tanisi. Tell me what you wanted to talk about." Tanisi suddenly felt as though her thoughts had strung together. She spoke. Tanisi: "I wanted to talk about two things. First about Pradyumna and Naksha." Samudra was so disappointed, his face said it all. He had hoped she would speak about what he wanted to hear so desperately. But he quickly regained his composure and looked keenly at her as though saying go ahead. Tanisi: "I think Pradyumna likes Naksha. I don't know how it is in your society. But you asked her to move on which I suppose indicates she can remarry. Am I correct?" Samudra: "Yes, you are correct and that is what I meant. I saw Pradyumna's smile being warm towards her. I realized he probably loves her. Naksha
Samudra went back to his Palace and took a bathe to clean the sweat and dirt off. He summoned the Royal doctor who told him Tanisi was now fine with a smug smile on his face. Samudra still had a stern expression on his face. He came down to look where she was. He now had the doctor's permission to break his abstinence. He wanted a reward for his daring act for the day from his beloved wife. He came near the discussion hall to find Naksha dressing Pradyumna and Tanisi... wait, what!? Tanisi was cuddling Bahu and kissing the child's chubby cheeks!! Samudra was now enraged. Tanisi and Naksha had their back towards Samudra, but Pradyumna was facing him and he saw the emperor. He slightly bowed his head upon seeing Samudra who acknowledged it and then with a smirk winked at the handsome husband of Tanisi. Samudra understood there was something fishy and soon realized that this was a deliberate attempt to make him jealous. He smiled a victorious smile and once agai
After Padma's incident, Tanisi felt very confused. She didn't know how relevant her feud was with Samudra. But she also felt she shouldn't be lenient towards him. The way she ended up marrying him was not ethical. She wanted to ensure Samudra doesn't twist laws to suit him and wanted this to be a lesson for him. She continued to maintain distance with him but respectfully. Samudra noticed that she had gone back to her original ways, but was still aloof from him. He didn't force her. Slowly Tanisi resumed her war practices. She started to learn more about spying from Naksha as well. During this time Pradyumna was elevated in levels in Samudra's army. He started to frequent the Palace along with Balabhadra the commander-in-chief of Samudra's army. Samudra missed Shourya greatly. He once joked with Tanisi, that he should probably annexe Kritadesha so that he can have Shourya back as his army's commander-in-chief. Tanisi retorted, "Just because you got me through
Samudra:"If you don't want me to punish them I won't force you Padma, but you should atleast reveal the names of the people who did that." Kumuda was now too distraught she kneeled down on her knees and said, "Please my Lord I don't want to relive my ordeal. Can we please stop this here?" She was breathing heavily and was behaving as though her life depended on it. Samudra looked at Tanisi and asked Naksha to come out from her place. Both of them had a shocked expression on their faces. Kumuda looked around and was puzzled as to why Naksha was hidden. Naksha: "What did you say your name was again? I couldn't remember sorry." Kumuda: "Who are you and why should I say my name to you?" Tanisi: "Even I forgot your name. Can you say your name again. Offlate my memory seems to be playing tricks on me." Kumuda: "Kumuda.. My name is Kumuda." Naksha was now enraged. She walked towards her and stood staring at her face. Kum
After breakfast, Samudra took Tanisi to meet Naksha who told them about Bhavabhooti's murder. He was fed up of the hatred he received everywhere he went. Everyone knew how he had tried to trick the Emperor. He had been to a Kaingitya mask maker to get a mask and change his identity to eke out a living. Kaingitya guards had recognised him as the spy from Nishantha. Afraid that their current ruler would be lenient to him, they had hacked him to death. The gruesome details of the incident disturbed Tanisi. She said, "If this is the case, then Padma also must have found it very difficult" Naksha: "Your heart still goes out for her Tanisi? What are you made up of? She put you through so much and yet you are thinking of how she would survive? Well strange news is there is no news about her whereabouts at all!" Suddenly Samudra looked at her as though she had provided him with the solution for a great problem. Samudra: "Naksha, do you know if Bhavabhoo
She regained her composure and was now ashamed at her behavior. She lowered her head and breaking free from his embrace, she dressed his wound. Samudra looked at her lovingly. She caught sight of this and didn't know how to react. She got up and simply left the place. Samudra sat down. He then decided to take his horse "Ativega"(Ati - too, Vega - Fast) out with him for sometime. He shared a very strong bond with his horse and always felt consoled in its presence. He changed his clothes and went downstairs. He heard Tanisi's voice, she was playing with Naksha's child Bhadrabahu. Bahu could now walk and he loved playing blindfold. Samudra walked upto the place where they were playing. The child noticed him and ran to him. Samudra picked him up and caressed him. Tanisi who was blindfolded kept calling Bahu's name. Samudra was reminded of the time when he had rescued her. She was blindfolded then too. A smile crept up on his lips at the naughtiness he had exhibited towards her.&
Tanisi was tied down by Samudra. He wouldn't let her out of sight. He wasn't going to let her go anywhere. Tanisi's poisoning was wreaking havoc. At one point she could think clearly and see that the said events had a long timeline and that Samudra genuinely loved her. But most of the times her thoughts were a chaos and she remembered the past more clearly when compared to recent events making her hate herself.Samudra had seen her mood swings. The Royal Doctor had prescribed another medicine to help her heal quickly. This was prepared and sent by the doctor himself instead of allowing the royal chefs to prepare it.Kumuda was kept under watch without her knowledge. She still sent medicines thinking that Tanisi was consuming it. In some days Naksha requested Tanisi and Samudra to give her audience.Even though Tanisi had toned her attacks down, the relation between her and Samudra had greatly soured. The doctor had told Samudra in private that, she w
Samudra went to his chambers. He found Tanisi relaxing on the swing. He smiled gently at her and asked how she felt now. She looked at him sadly and said, she doesn't feel very well. Just then Naksha asked for his permission to enter. Samudra: "Naksha, what would I do without you! Thanks for bringing this issue to my notice before Tanisi could have been hurt more." Naksha: "Samrat, my intention was to make you scold your heavenly beautiful wife!! But I was shocked to see what she has gone through. Tanisi, I am sorry for having bullied you!" Samrat: "Well I have a task for you, after announcing that, I request our Samrajni(Empress) to punish you for bullying her." Tanisi laughed heartily at their banter which instantly lightened her mood. Samudra: "Naksha, I have a doubt that Kumuda is someone I know. Her story seems too farfetched to be true. For one, Padmanabha (Royal cook) has a particular timetable. For him to find her j